El Aposento Alto

The moment the Israelites cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land is momentous and powerful. But it is not the Israelites’ achievement. It is God’s.

Even though they have lost trust in God at times, God is faithful. Even though they have doubted God’s power, God delivers them. Even though they have whined and complained along the way, God never leaves them. God repeatedly shows them mercy and unconditional love.

Now it is time for the people to respond. After they cross the river Jordan, they celebrate the Passover. They remember all that God has done for them. They reenact their liberation from slavery and recount their escape from Egypt. They retell the powerful deeds of God. Celebrating the Passover reminds them of God’s power and helps them remember who saved them.

As the people of God, we are called to remember, to reenact, to recount, and to retell the stories of God’s faithfulness. We do this every week in worship. We do it when we celebrate the Eucharist. We do it when we share the stories of times when God helped us, when a prayer was answered, when we felt God’s presence. As the Israelites well know, remembering what God has done for us in the past can sustain us in seasons of doubt and suffering in the present and in the future.

What helps you remember and recount God’s goodness? Take a few moments today to write down some of the ways you have experienced God’s power and love in your life. Then give all the thanks and all the credit to God.

Gracious God, you are always with me. You never stop working for good in me and in your world. Thank you for your faithfulness and the many ways you have helped me in the past. Hear me now as I remember and recount your works . . . Amen.

Rece las Escrituras usando Leccionario en Audio
Leer Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

¹ All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. ² The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ³ Jesus told them this parable: ¹¹ Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. ¹³ Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living. ¹⁴ “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. ²¹ Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! ²³ Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. ²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. ²⁶ He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. ²⁷ The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. ²⁹ He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”

0 Comentarios

Iniciar sesión to leave a comment

Leccionario Semanal

March 25–31, 2019

Resumen de la Escritura

Lent is a time for focusing on our need for God and for remembering God’s abundant resources for filling that need. When the Israelites finally pass into Canaan, they observe the Passover as a reminder of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt. The psalmist, traditionally David, rejoices in the fact that God does not count his sins against him. Paul declares that through Christ, God has made everything new. God no longer holds our sins against us, and we in turn appeal to others to accept this free gift. Jesus eats with sinners and tells the story of the prodigal son to demonstrate that no matter how far we stray, God will always welcome us home with open arms. God never stops pursuing us, even if we feel unloved or unworthy.

Preguntas para la reflexión

Read Joshua 5:9-12. What stories do you tell about your faith? What do these stories help you remember?
Read Psalm 32. When have you hidden from God? When has God been your hiding place?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. We are ambassadors for Christ. How does your life display for others that life in Christ eliminates worldly identity labels?
Read Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Do you identify with the prodigal son, the elder son, or the father in the parable? Are you ready to rejoin God’s household on God’s terms? Are you ready to welcome everyone home?

Responda publicando una oración.

Joshua 5:9-12

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Encuentre recursos relacionados

Abrir sesión en El Aposento Alto